Former Celtics guard Ray Williams dies at 58

Boston Celtics guard Ray Williams, right, works to get around Cleveland Cavaliers forward Lonnie Shelton, left, in the first period of the NBA Playoff game in the Boston Garden on Thursday night, April 18, 1985. (AP Photo/Peter Southwick)

Boston Celtics guard Ray Williams, right, works to get around Cleveland Cavaliers forward Lonnie Shelton, left, in the first period of the NBA Playoff game in the Boston Garden on Thursday night, April 18, 1985. (AP Photo/Peter Southwick)

Ray Williams, who averaged 15.5 points and 5.8 assists in 10 seasons in the NBA, died yesterday. He was 58.

The Knicks confirmed the former guard’s death, but didn’t provide a cause. Coach Mike Woodson said he spoke to Williams’s wife and brother to offer his condolences.

Born in Mount Vernon on Oct. 14, 1954, Williams was drafted 10th overall by the Knicks in 1977. He averaged 16.4 points in five seasons in New York and went on to play for New Jersey, Kansas City, Boston, Atlanta and San Antonio.

He played 23 games for the Celtics in 1984-85, averaging 6.4 points and 3.9 assists.

Williams averaged 18.9 points in two seasons at the University of Minnesota, where he teamed with Kevin McHale, Mychal Thompson and longtime NBA coach Flip Saunders.